Tom Orsborn: Flopping fine foolish, Horry says

News that the NBA plans to fine players for flopping next season drew some strong words elicited some strong comments from Robert Horry.

The 16-year veteran seemed outraged the league would institute such a plan.

“Who’s going to determine who flops?” Horry said, incredulously. “Can they fine refs for making bad calls? Pretty soon they’ll fine you for not tying your shoes…Pretty soon they’ll want us all to be robots.”

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich offered a much different perspective.

“I think that’s great,” Popovich said. “I don’t know exactly what their plan is, but it’s pretty tough on officials. Players flop on every team, somebody flops here and there, without a doubt, and puts on the act.

“I don’t think anybody does it any more than anybody else, but if there is a way to eliminate it, it would be great for basketball. I just don’t know how you do that.”

Asked why so many players flop in today’s game, Popovich joked, “Flopping is just probably another part of a reflection of our society. You know, the fiber weakening and not being as strong as it has been. Maybe that’s the same as reality shows on TV, maybe the same genre, weak spirit, weak fiber.”

When nobody asked another question, Popovich said, “Let’s keep going. This is fun. Game’s not for an hour and a half. I don’t want to sit here and be scared to death for an hour and a half.”